Power source supplying method and device of electronic apparatus

Abstract: A power supplying method of an electronic apparatus and its electronic apparatus which can be continuously used for a long time by using both of an internal battery and an external battery. A power source is supplied to a video camera by an internal battery (25) and an external battery (13). A voltage of the internal battery (25) is detected by resistors (27) and (35) and a comparator (31). A voltage of the external battery (13) is detected by resistors (13a) and (13b). In the case where the external battery (13) is driven and the internal battery (25) is equal to or larger than a predetermined voltage, the driving of the external battery (13) is stopped. At the same time, the internal battery (25) is driven.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power source supplying method of an electronic apparatus which is suitable when it is used in a technical field of a video camera or the like, and to a power source supplying device of an electronic apparatus to which the power source supplying method is applied. Description of the Related Art A video camera in which a built-in battery and an externally attached battery are driven as power sources has been known. In such a built-in battery in the video camera, there is no battery which is used for a long time in order to reduce the size of the apparatus. Furthermore, other electronic apparatus are known in which a main power source and an auxiliary power source are used in combination in order to ensure the supply of power to the electronic apparatus, see for example EP-A-0 238 803 and DE-A-3 908 324. In DE-A-3 908 324, power is supplied from the main power source until its voltage level drops below a certain threshold level, and then the auxiliary source is used to provide power to the electronic apparatus. In EP-A-0 238 803 a main power source is connected via a circuit to a load which is connected to an auxiliary power source. When the main power supply voltage falls below the auxiliary power supply voltage the circuit isolates the main power supply from the load. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is possible to photograph for a long time by using both of the built-in battery and the externally attached battery. In this case, the externally attached battery is driven in preference to the built-in battery. Due to this, even if an enough amount of capacity of the built-in battery remains, the externally attached battery is driven. On the other hand, in order to drive a video camera by the built-in battery after the externally attached battery was used, the externally attached battery must be detached. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a power source supplying method of an electronic apparatus such as a video camera or the like in which a built-in battery and an externally attached battery are efficiently driven and which can be used for a long time, and to provide a power source supplying device of an electronic apparatus to which the power supplying method is applied. According to the invention, there is provided a power source supplying method of an electronic apparatus having a main body portion to which a power source voltage is supplied, a built-in battery, and an externally attached battery; characterized in that a voltage of said built-in battery is detected by detecting means and in the case where the detected voltage of said built-in battery is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and said externally attached battery is driving the power source voltage, the driving by said externally attached battery is interrupted and the power source voltage is supplied from the built-in battery to said main body portion. Moreover, according to the invention there is also provided a power source supplying device of an electronic apparatus having a main body portion to which a power source voltage is supplied, a built-in battery, and an externally attached battery; characterized in that there are provided detecting means for detecting a voltage of said built-in battery and control means adapted, in the case where a detected voltage of said built-in battery is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and said externally attached battery is driving the power source voltage, to cause the driving by said externally attached battery to be interrupted and the power source voltage to be supplied from the built-in battery to said main body portion The above, and other, objects, features and advantage of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a grip remote controller; Fig. 2 is a top view of the grip remote controller; Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the grip remote controller; Fig. 4 is a front view of the grip remote controller; Fig. 5 is a rear view of the grip remote controller; Fig. 6 is a block diagram in the case where power source systems of the grip remote controller and a video camera are connected; Figs. 7A to 7G are timing charts regarding the switching of an internal battery and an external battery; Figs. 8A and 8B are flowcharts of the relay operation for selecting a power source which is supplied to the video camera; and Fig. 9 is an example of annexed data which is displayed in a view finder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment in the case where a power source supplying method and device of an electronic apparatus according to the invention is applied to a video camera will be explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 5 are external views of a grip remote controller for a video camera. The grip remote controller is attached to, for example, the bottom portion of the video camera and supplies an external power source to the video camera. Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a grip remote controller (hereinbelow, referred to as a grip remocon). The grip remote controller comprises: a video camera mounting portion 1; a grip portion 2; a fixing lever 3 of the grip portion, and the like. The grip portion 2 can be rotated in the direction of an arrow (a) and the fixing lever 3 of the grip portion can be rotated in the direction of an arrow (b). When the fixing lever 3 of the grip portion is rotated and loosened, the grip portion 2 is set to a rotatable state. When the grip portion 2 is rotated to a desired position, the fixing lever 3 of the grip portion is rotated to a fixed position and the grip portion 2 is fixed to such a position. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the grip remote controller and Fig. 3 is a bottom view thereof. As will be understood from Fig. 2, a contact terminal 4 is provided for the video camera mounting portion 1. An external power source of the grip remote controller is supplied though the contact terminal 4 to a video camera main body. As will be also understood from Fig. 3, control switches 5 are provided for the grip portion 2. As control switches, for example, a stand-by switch for setting a video camera to a recordable state, a start/stop switch for starting or stopping the recording, and the like are provided. Fig. 4 shows a front view of the grip remote controller and Fig. 5 is a rear view thereof. A block diagram in the case where a power source system of the grip remote controller and video camera mentioned above is connected is shown in Fig. 6. A construction of the block diagram of Fig. 6 will be described hereinbelow. Reference numeral 11 denotes a grip remote controller and 12 denotes an internal power source system of the video camera. An external battery 13 is provided for the grip remote controller 11. A (+) terminal of the external battery 13 is connected to one end of each of a regulator 14, a resistor 13a, and a switch 16. A (-) terminal of the secondary battery 13 is connected to the ground. Another end of the resistor 13a is connected to a grip controller 15 and is also connected to the ground through a resistor 13b. A voltage of the external battery 13 is detected by the resistors 13a and 13b. The opening/closing operation of the switch 16 is controlled by the grip controller 15. Another terminal of the switch 16 is connected to one end of a capacitor 17. On the other hand, another end of the capacitor 17 is connected to the ground. Another end of the switch 16 is connected to the grip controller 15 through a resistor 18 at a connecting point 19. The connecting point 19 is further connected to the ground through a resistor 20. The opening/closing operations of a switch 21 whose one end is connected to the ground and a switch 23 whose one end is connected to the ground through a resistor 22 are controlled by control signals from the grip controller 15. Another end of each of the switches 21 and 23 are connected to the internal power source system 12. A signal from the internal power source system 12 is supplied to an adder 24 together with a signal through the regulator 14. An output of the adder 24 is supplied to the grip controller 15. The signal supplied from the internal power source system 12 to the adder 24 is also supplied to the grip controller 15. A flag is further supplied from the internal power source system 12 to the grip controller 15. The driving operations of the built-in battery and the externally attached battery are switched by the supply of such a flag. One end of the capacitor 17 is connected to a (+) terminal of an internal battery 25 provided for the internal power source system 12 and to one end of each of resistors 26 and 27, a regulator 28, and a capacitor 29. A (-) terminal of the internal battery 25 is connected to one end of a switch 30. Another end of the switch 30 is connected to the ground. Another end of the resistor 26 is connected to one end of each of a comparator 31 and a resistor 32. Another end of the resistor 32 is connected to one end of the switch 30 and is also connected to the ground through a resistor 33. An output of the comparator 31 is connected to a mode controller 34. Another end of the resistor 27 is connected to the mode controller 34 and is also connected to the ground through a resistor 35. Another end of the capacitor 29 is connected to the ground. The opening/closing operations of the switch 30 are controlled by a signal supplied through the switches 21 and 23. Another end of the regulator 28 is connected to one end of each of the mode controller 34 and a resistor 36. Another end of the resistor 36 is connected to another end of each of the switches 21 and 23 and to the mode controller 34. A predetermined terminal of the mode controller 34 is connected to the ground and another predetermined terminal is connected to a character generator 37. In the character generator 37, annexed data (for example, a display indicating which one of the internal battery or external battery is driving the power source voltage, a display of a remaining amount of the battery, or the like) corresponding to the supplied signal is generated and is supplied to an adder 38. A video image signal which is input from a terminal 39 is supplied to the adder 38. In the adder 38, the annexed data is superimposed to the video signal supplied through the terminal 39. An output signal of the adder 38 is supplied to a view finder 40. The operation of the block diagram in Fig. 6 will be described hereinbelow. In the case where only the internal power source system 12 is solely used, the video camera is pulled up to an output voltage (for example, 5V) of the regulator 28 by the resistor 36. Due to this, the switch 30 is turned on and the voltage of the internal battery 25 is supplied to the mode controller 34. In the case where the video camera is used by a power source of only the grip remote controller 11, a control signal from the grip controller 15 is supplied to the switch 30 through the switches 21 and 23. Due to this, the switch 30 is turned off. After that, the switch 16 is turned on by the grip controller 15. Due to this, the external battery 13 of the grip remote controller 11 drives the power source voltage. In the case where the grip remote controller 11 is connected to the internal power source system 12 and there is a power source of only the grip remote controller 11, the on/off operations of the switches 16, 21, and 23 are controlled by the grip controller 15. That is, for instance, when the resistors 27 and 35 detect that a capacity of the internal battery 25 is less than a predetermined value, a flag is supplied from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15. The switch 23 is turned on by the flag. After the elapse of a predetermined time, the switch 21 is turned on. Due to this, the switch 30 is turned off. After that, the switch 16 is turned on by the grip controller 15. Therefore, a voltage is supplied from the external battery 13 to the mode controller 34. In the case where the grip remote controller 11 is connected to the power source system 12 of the video camera and both of the power sources can drive the power source voltage, the internal battery 25 is preferentially driven by the mode controller 34. In the case where the grip remote controller 11 is connected to the power source system 12 of the video camera and both power sources have only the minimum capacities such that the video camera can be driven, a hunting (phenomenon such that one of the power sources drives first, another power source drives subsequently, and the first power source drives again) occurs. Therefore, all of the capacities of both of the batteries are consumed. In order to prevent the hunting, according to the invention, the following processes are executed. For example, while the internal battery 25 is driving the power source voltage, at the time point when the capacity is less than a predetermined value, the switch 30 is turned off. A flag is supplied from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15. The external battery 13 is caused by the flag to drive the power source voltage. When the capacity of the external battery 13 is soon less than the predetermined value, an external battery end memory flag is set in the grip controller 15. At the same time, data regarding the capacity of the internal battery 25 (self-recovery, exchange of the internal battery, or the like) is supplied to the mode controller 34 through the comparator 31. When the capacity of the internal battery 25 is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the switch 30 is turned on and the internal battery 25 drives the power source voltage. When the capacity of the internal battery 25 is again less than the predetermined value, the mode controller 34 refers to the external battery end memory flag of the grip controller 15. Due to this, the switching operation from the internal battery 25 to the external battery 13 is prohibited. As mentioned above, the hunting is prevented. As an internal battery and an external battery, for example, lithium batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, or the like are used. Figs. 7A to 7G are timing charts with respect to the switching of the internal battery 13 and the external battery 25. Fig. 7A shows a timing for switching driving batteries (the internal battery and the external battery). Fig. 7B shows a timing for switching the on/off operations of the switch 16. Fig. 7C shows a timing for switching the battery to supply a voltage to the regulator in the video camera. Fig. 7D shows a timing for switching the control voltage which is applied to the switch 30. Fig. 7E shows a timing for switching the on/off operations of the switch 21. Fig. 7F shows a timing for switching the on/off operations of the switch 23. Fig. 7G shows a timing for switching the flag which is supplied from the internal power source system 12 to the grip remote controller 11. Explanation will now be made with respect to a period of time (a) in Fig. 7, hereinbelow. The period (a) relates to the case where the video camera is driven by the internal battery 25. When the internal battery 25 is driving, the switch 16 is turned off and a voltage is supplied to the regulator 28 from the internal battery 25. When a state in which the voltage of the internal battery 25 is equal to or less than the predetermined value is detected by the resistors 27 and 35, the detected value is supplied to the mode controller 34. At that time, the flag is sent from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15. A control signal is generated from the grip controller 15 to the switch 23 by the flag and the switch 23 is turned on. Due to this, the control signal supplied to the switch 30 is changed from the H level (the internal battery driving) to the M level (at the time of transition of the driving battery from the internal battery to the external battery). At the same time, the flag 1 is supplied from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15. For a period of time (b), a control signal to the switch 30 is changed from the M level to the L level (the external battery driving). In this instance, the switches 21 and 23 are turned on. A flag 0 to reset the flag 1 is supplied from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15. For a period of time (c), both of the switches 16 and 30 are turned off and a driving voltage is supplied to the video camera by the charged capacitor 17 (refer to hatched portions in Fig. 7C). When the period (c) is finished, the switch 16 is turned on and the driving voltage is supplied from the external battery 13 to the video camera. At that time, the switches 21 and 23 are turned on. Due to this, the switch 30 is set to an off state. For a period of time (d), the flag 1 indicative of a change from the L level to the M level is supplied from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15. At the same time, the supply of the driving voltage to the video camera is started by the charged capacitor 17. The switch 16 is turned off. For a period of time (e), the control signal is actually changed from the L level to the M level. At the end of the period (e), the switch 30 is turned on. Due to this, the video camera is driven by the internal battery. For a period of time (f), the flag 0 for resetting the flag 1 is supplied from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15 and the control signal is set to the M level. In this instance, the switch 21 is turned off and the switch 23 is turned on. When the period (f) is finished and the control signal is set to the H level, the switch 23 is also turned off. At the period of (c), (d) and (e), there is a case where a large electric current flows from the capacitor 17 (rush current). In order to prevent the decrease of supplied voltage by the rush current, a time to supply the voltage by capacitor 17 is reduced as short as possible. While in an operation which needs a large electric current (for example in a case of mechanical transition time), a signal such as a flag or the like is not supplied from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15, thereby reducing a probability such that the producing of the rush current and a period to supply the voltage by the capacitor overlap. Figs. 8A and 8B are flowcharts of the relay operation for selecting a power source which is supplied to the video camera. In Figs. 8A and 8B, when the video camera is turned on (step 51), whether the capacity of the battery (the internal battery or the external battery) which is driving is empty or not is detected in step 52. In the case where the battery capacity remains, a processing routine is returned to step 51. On the other hand, in the case where the capacity of the battery is empty, step 53 or step 55 follows. A case where the driving battery detected in step 52 is the internal battery will be described hereinbelow. When it is detected that the capacity of the internal battery is empty in step 52, a flag is output from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15 and a timer which is provided in the mode controller 34 (for example, a five-second timer) is turned on (step 53). In step 54, the switch 30 is turned off by turning on the switches 21 and 23. After that, the switch 16 is turned on and the external battery 13 is driven. On the other hand, a case where the driving battery whose capacity was detected in step 52 is an external battery will now be described. After it was detected that the capacity of the external battery was empty in step 52, whether an internal battery driving possible signal is supplied from the comparator 31 to the mode controller 34 or not is detected (step 55). When it is detected that the internal battery driving possible signal is supplied, a flag is output from the mode controller 34 to the grip controller 15 (step 56). The internal battery driving possible signal is generated in the case where the internal battery was recovered by itself or where it was exchanged to a new internal battery. When the flag generated from the mode controller 34 is confirmed by the grip controller 15 (step 57), the switches 16, 21, 23, and 30 are controlled (step 58). Namely, after the switches 16, 21, and 23 were turned off, the switch 30 is turned on. Due to this, the internal battery 25 is driven. At the same time with step 54 or step 58, the processing of step 59 is done. In step 59, whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed or not is detected with reference to a counter value of the timer turned on in step 53. In the case where the predetermined period of time has not elapsed, the foregoing M level is detected (step 60). On the other hand, after the elapse of the predetermined period of time, (the timer equals or exceeds five seconds) the power source is turned off and a power off of the video is executed (step 61). In step 60, in the case where the M level is detected (a transition from the M level to the L level or a transition from the L level to the M level), the execution of a process similar to the process in the case where the capacity of the battery which is driving is empty (driving of only the portions which are not concerned with photographing) is stopped (step 62). After the process was stopped in step 62, whether the timer which was turned on by the mode controller 34 is less than five seconds or not is detected (step 63). In the case where the timer is less than five seconds, the power-off of the video camera is stopped (step 64). On the other hand, in the case where the timer equals or exceeds five seconds, the power-off of the video camera is executed (step 65). Fig. 9 shows an example of the annexed data which is displayed in the view finder 40 attached to the video camera. In the view finder 40, for example, data of a battery remaining amount display font and a caution (warning) display shown in Fig. 9 is displayed. The data display is classified into, for example, six levels. In a state in which the battery has been fully charged, the display of a remaining amount is shown as a full-state (the display level is 4/4). When the battery has driven to a certain degree, a remaining amount corresponding to the consumed electric power is displayed (the display level is 3/4). Further, when the battery is consumed, a display corresponding to it is performed (the display level is 2/4). When the battery is still further consumed and the remaining amount is set to 1/4 as compared with the full-charge state, a display corresponding to it is performed. When the battery remaining amount is less than 1/4 as compared with the full-charge state, a display of the battery having no capacity is performed in the battery remaining amount display font and the caution display is performed by 0.8 Hz (the display level at this time is pre-end). When the battery is further consumed, the caution display is performed by 3.2 Hz (the display level at this time is end). The remaining amount of the battery is sampled once per vertical blanking period (e.g. at 30 Hz according to the NTSC standard). If the sampled amount has kept the same display unit level for a second, the display level is displayed as shown in Fig.9. According to the invention, in the case where the internal battery and the external battery are used together, both of the batteries can be efficiently used by the switching of the switch. The apparatus can be eternally used by exchanging the internal battery and the external battery at a proper time. Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: A power source supplying method of an electronic apparatus having a main body portion to which a power source voltage is supplied, a built-in battery (25), and an externally attached battery (13); characterized in that a voltage of said built-in battery is detected by detecting means (26, 31, 32, 34), and in the case where the detected voltage of said built-in battery (25) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and said externally attached battery (13) is driving the power source voltage, the driving by said externally attached battery (13) is interrupted and the power source voltage is supplied from the built-in battery (25) to said main body portion. A power source supplying method according to claim 1, wherein said main body portion has a display section (40) for performing a display indicating which one of said built-in battery (25) and said externally attached battery (13) is driving the power source voltage. A power source supplying method according to claim 2, wherein the display section of said main body portion is a view finder (40). A power source supplying method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said display section (40) displays not only the battery driving the power source voltage but also a residual amount of said battery. A power source supplying method according to any previous claim, wherein when the power supply to said main body portion is switched from either one of said built-in battery (25) and said externally attached battery (13) to the other, a period of time during which no power source is supplied from either of said batteries to said main body portion is set and, in said period of time, a power source is supplied to the main body portion from a capacitor (17) which has been charged before said switching operation is executed. A power source supplying method according to claim 5, wherein a mode in which said main body portion needs a large electric power is stored by memory means (15) and when said mode is selected by operating means, the switching operation of said batteries is prohibited. A power source supplying method according to claim 6, wherein a control signal for said switching operation is generated from a main body side of said electronic apparatus. A power source supplying method according to any previous claim, wherein a state, in which a battery for supplying said power source voltage to said main body portion is switched from either one of said built-in battery (25) and said externally attached battery (13) to the other one, is stored by memory means (15) and in the case where said switching state has been stored by said memory means (15) even if a voltage of the other battery is dropped, the switching to said either one battery is prohibited. A power source supplying method according to claim 8, wherein the memory of the switching state by said memory means (15) is reset by the exchange of said either one battery. A power source supplying device of an electronic apparatus having a main body portion to which a power source voltage is supplied, a built-in battery (25), and an externally attached battery (13); characterized in that there are provided detecting means (26, 31, 32, 34) for detecting a voltage of said built-in battery (25) and control means (15,34) adapted, in the case where a detected voltage of said built-in battery (25) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and said externally attached battery (13) is driving the power source voltage, to cause the driving by said externally attached battery (13) to be interrupted and the power source voltage to be supplied from the built-in battery (25) to said main body portion. A power source supplying device according to claim 10, wherein said main body portion has a display section (40) for performing a display indicating which one of said built-in battery (25) and said externally attached battery (13) is driving the power source voltage. A power source supplying device according to claim 11, wherein the display section of said main body portion is a view finder (40). A power source supplying device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said display section (40) displays not only the battery driving the power source voltage but also a residual amount of said battery. A power source supplying device according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein when the power supply to said main body portion is switched from either one of said built-in battery (25) and said externally attached battery (13) to the other, a period of time during which no power source is supplied from either of said batteries to said main body portion is set and, in said period of time, a power source is supplied to the main body portion from a capacitor (17) which has been charged before said switching operation is executed. A power source supplying device according to claim 14, wherein a mode in which said main body portion needs a large electric power is stored by memory means (15) and when said mode is selected by operating means, the switching operation of said batteries is prohibited. A power source supplying device according to claim 15, wherein a control signal for said switching operation is generated from a main body side of said electronic apparatus. A power source supplying device according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein a state, in which a battery for supplying said power source voltage to said main body portion is switched from either one of said built-in battery (25) and said externally attached battery (13) to the other one, is stored by memory means (15) and in the case where said switching state has been stored by said memory means (15) even if a voltage of the other battery is dropped, the switching to said either one battery is prohibited. A power source supplying device according to claim 17, wherein the memory of the switching state by said memory means (15) is reset by the exchange of said either one battery.

Inventors: MISHIMA KAZUO, MISHIMA, KAZUO, MISHIMA, KAZUO, C/O SONY CORPORATION
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H02J7
IPC codes: H02J7, G01R31, H02J9